Panel | Critical Resources, Critical Choices: Energy Security in Transition

Date: Thursday October 22, 9:00am – 10:30am

Session Description: As the world transitions to cleaner sources of energy, including renewables and nuclear, countries around the globe are seeking stable partners to strengthen their energy security. Canada and Saskatchewan are emerging as leaders in energy and mineral resources that are essential to this transition. This panel addresses both the challenges and enormous opportunities that Saskatchewan can play in the global energy system of the future.

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Panel | Health and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Well-being Economy

Date: Thursday October 22, 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Session Description: In resource rich countries, developing sustainable methods for optimal natural resource use is a challenge. To do so, a balance between short, medium and long-term community and regional impacts must be considered. This panel will explore how to incorporate a well-being economy approach to help guide sustainable development in Canada and beyond. Using findings from global case studies, the panel will explore ways to advance this challenge at local, regional, national and international levels.

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Concurrent Session | Global Minerals and Energy: Strategic Partnerships, Security, and the Future of Supply

Date: Wednesday October 21, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Session Description: International partnerships are becoming central to supply chain security and sustainable development as the global demand for critical minerals and energy accelerates. This session will examine how countries and established energy markets are navigating resource development, geopolitical pressures and investment dynamics. Panelists will share perspectives on collaborations, policies and innovations that are shaping the future of minerals and energy systems.

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Concurrent Session | Energy and Technology: New Pressures and Innovations 

Date: Wednesday October 21, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Session Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that can advance many areas of our daily lives. However, AI’s immense energy needs and environmental impacts, such as heat emissions, are affecting communities around the world that are hosts to AI data centres.  How will we meet the energy needs and solve the environmental impacts required to develop this powerful tool and make it available to everyone? What should change: our computers or the grid itself?

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Concurrent Session | Biomining and Bioremediation: Biological Solutions for Sustainable Resource Development

Date: Thursday October 22, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Session Description: Biomining and bioremediation are enduring practical approaches that are part of the solution to reduce the environmental footprint of resource extraction while improving recovery of critical minerals. This session will examine how biological processes are being applied in mining operations and site remediation, with examples from industry and research. Panelists will discuss scalability, regulatory considerations, contributions to responsible resource development and the role of innovation in advancing more sustainable mining practices.

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Concurrent Session | Supporting Thriving Communities: Working Together to Steward Resources for a Sustainable Future

Date: Thursday October 22, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Session Description: As the global demand for critical minerals accelerates the clean energy transition, communities sit at the center of opportunity. But with any opportunity comes risk. This session examines how sustainable energy pathways can—and must—support human health, social equity and long-term community wellbeing and environmental protection, ensuring that the transition creates truly thriving communities.

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• Name: Prannav Jain
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: Public Health, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Radon risk in Saskatchewan
• Research Partner: Lung Sask

Brief Abstract: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing approximately 3000 deaths in Canada every year. Saskatchewan is a radon hotspot, with approximately 1 in every 3 homes exceeding Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m3. Lung Saskatchewan provides testing, education, awareness and promotion resources to reduce the preventable risk of radon exposure. This practicum evaluated the impact of the current Lung Sask resources and developed new resources to strengthen radon testing in Saskatchewan. A one-shot mixed-methods case study was conducted through a survey questionnaire sent to 14520 past test purchasers from 2020 to 2026, along with website metric analysis of Lung Sask radon webpages. The evaluation identified knowledge gaps about Health Canada guidelines, encouragement from healthcare providers for radon testing, and available financial assistance for radon mitigation. Strengths of Lung Sask’s efforts identified included ease of test kit use, considerable interest in the mapping resource, and respondents frequently encouraged friends and family to test, demonstrating positive behaviour change. Practicum deliverables also included a radon readiness course for real estate professionals, a policy brief for the Saskatchewan Government and an email newsletter for radon retesting. Based on the evaluation, recommendations include expanding promotion through healthcare providers, real estate professionals, and home inspectors; improving the affordability of radon management library lending programs, government grants and action, and knowledge mobilization. Furthermore, there is value in developing the radon risk map through additional data partnerships with national and provincial organizations and adding features such as a pre- and post-mitigation map. These actions can strengthen radon health promotion and reduce radon-related lung cancer risk in Saskatchewan.

• Name: Majak Mapiour
• Level of Studies:  Ph. D. 
• College: Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Hemodialysis
• Supervisor: Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul

Brief Abstract: Membrane fouling caused by protein adsorption reduces the efficiency of filtration systems, particularly in bioprocessing and dialysis. We developed a predictive model that combines conventional foulant properties with molecular docking-derived hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction energies. The model introduces an analogous Hill coefficient to quantify cooperative and antagonistic fouling and link these effects to molecular interactions. It accurately predicts flux decline for single and binary foulants (R² ≈ 0.90–0.99), including strong cooperative fouling in albumin–humic acid mixtures. The developed framework connects molecular-scale interactions to filtration performance, enabling better prediction of complex fouling and supporting the design of improved membranes, pretreatment strategies, and process conditions for bioprocessing and dialysis.

• Name: Srimani Rojitha Hettikankanama Hettikankanamage
• Level of Studies: Ph. D. 
• College: School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan 
• Field of Study: Sustainable Cities, Urban Climate, Geospatial Science, and Climate-Resilient Urban Planning
• Supervisor: Dr. Varuni Jayasooriya, Dr. Sandun Dassanayake

Brief Abstract:  Extreme heat is an increasing challenge for cities worldwide, while its spatial distribution varies with built surfaces, vegetation, water, and urban form. Consistent spatial approaches are needed to identify urban heat concentrations across different climatic settings and support heat-resilient planning. This study applies a consistent open-data Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) assessment approach across two contrasting urban and climatic contexts: tropical Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Saskatoon, Canada. MODIS Terra and Aqua land surface temperature observations were combined with land-cover information to quantify daytime SUHI relative to rural-reference conditions in both study contexts. Spatial autocorrelation was assessed using Global Moran’s I, while Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) identified localized thermal clusters. In Colombo, the analysis identified strong positive daytime SUHI clustering at the 500-m analytical support (Moran’s I = 0.832, p < 0.001). In Saskatoon, June-August 2024 analysis produced a mean daytime temperature of 28.63°C for the rural reference and 30.99°C for built-up areas, corresponding to a mean built-up SUHI intensity of +2.36°C. Saskatoon similarly exhibited strong positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I = 0.916; pseudo-p = 0.001; 999 permutations), with LISA identifying 732 significant High-High cells (14.7%) and 1,034 Low-Low cells (20.7%). The detection of significant spatial SUHI clustering in both cities demonstrates the applicability of the approach across two contrasting urban and climatic contexts. The findings demonstrate the potential of this reproducible approach for cross-city urban heat assessment and spatially informed heat-resilience planning. The research primarily advances SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by supporting evidence-based, heat-resilient urban planning and additionally contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action through locally informed urban heat adaptation.

Keywords: Climate Adaptation, Spatial Autocorrelation, Sustainable Cities, Surface Urban Heat Island, Transferability

• Name: Sharon Jacob
• Level of Studies:  Undergraduate 
• College: College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Supervisor: Dr. Peter Thiel

Brief Abstract: Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) scribes have the potential to reduce physician documentation burden; however, concerns remain regarding the quality and accuracy of AI-generated clinical documentation, particularly omitted or unsupported information. Gynecologic consultations rely on detailed menstrual, reproductive, and symptom histories, making documentation completeness particularly important. Objective: To compare the quality and accuracy of physician-generated, raw AI-generated, and physician-edited AI gynecologic consultation notes. Methods: This prospective paired-comparison study used standardized gynecologic patient encounters. Four consultant gynecologists and two senior residents each completed three encounters drawn from six scripted cases, yielding 18 encounters and 54 notes in total. Each encounter generated three documentation conditions: a physician-generated note, a raw AI-generated note, and a physician-edited AI note. Note quality was assessed using a modified Physician Documentation Quality Instrument-9 (mPDQI-9; range 8–40) and accuracy was accessed against a reference transcript using a 36-item case-specific checklist. Documentation time was recorded. Analysis was completed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Mean mPDQI-9 scores were similar across physician-generated (31.5 ± 5.5), raw AI-generated (34.2 ± 3.8), and physician-edited AI notes (33.7 ± 3.8; p=0.12). The physician versus raw AI mean difference was −2.7 points (95% CI −5.4 to 0.1). Error rates were similarly low across conditions. Of 69 errors identified across 54 notes, 62 (89.9%) were omissions and seven (10.1%) were unsupported additions; no statements contradicted the reference transcript, and no clinically important errors were identified. Reviewing and editing AI-generated notes required 3.1 ± 2.8 minutes compared with 9.7 ± 4.1 minutes for independent physician documentation, saving a mean of 6.6 minutes per encounter (95% CI 4.6–8.5; p<0.001). Conclusions: AI-generated gynecologic consultation notes demonstrated comparable quality and accuracy to physician-generated documentation while substantially reducing documentation time.

• Name: Godfrey Stanley Namakhota
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa (Unisa)
• Field of Study: Sociology
• Supervisor: Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Azwihangwisi 

Brief Abstract:This study explored the policy implications for the health and wellness needs of students identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) within an Open Distance Learning (ODL) environment at the University of South Africa (UNISA). LGBTI individuals continue to experience discrimination, exclusion, stigma, and violence in societies where heterosexuality is often regarded as the norm. Despite these challenges, limited research has examined how university health and wellness policies address the needs of LGBTI students in ODL contexts. The study sought to investigate whether existing policies adequately respond to the health and wellness needs of LGBTI students and to identify policy gaps within the university. Previous research has failed to adequately address the policy implications of health and wellness services for LGBTI students in ODL environments. A qualitative approach, located within the interpretive paradigm, was employed using an exploratory research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five LGBTI students, two policymakers, and three policy implementers at UNISA. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis supported by NVivo 12 Pro. The study was guided by the Socio-Ecological Model and the Stigmatisation Model. The findings revealed the need for a student health and wellness policy that explicitly addresses the health needs of LGBTI students. Persistent stigma and discrimination within university support services were identified, alongside limited staff knowledge of LGBTI issues. The study recommends inclusive policy development, staff training on LGBTI matters, and increased representation of LGBTI-identifying personnel within student support structures to create a more inclusive and supportive university environment. Keywords: Sexual Orientation, Open Distance Learning, Health and Wellness, Policy, LGBTI.

• Name: Lizette Villa Alcaraz
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Chemical Engineering – Advanced Oxidation Processes for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment
• Supervisor: Dr. Jafar Soltan

Brief Abstract: Background: Pharmaceutical residues are recognized as emerging contaminants in wastewater because conventional treatment processes may not completely remove them before effluent is discharged into receiving environments. Their presence highlights the need for effective and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. This research evaluates UV-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as potential treatment upgrades for improving pharmaceutical removal at the City of Saskatoon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Methods: This first phase investigates the degradation of two pharmaceutical contaminants, diclofenac (DCF) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and UV combined with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H₂O₂). The kinetics alongside the effects of key operational parameters, including pH, treatment time, initial contaminant concentration, and H₂O₂ initial concentration, are systematically evaluated. Experimental design and statistical analysis are used to identify significant interactions and optimize treatment conditions. Results: The results demonstrate differences in treatment performance between UV and UV/H₂O₂ processes and show that treatment effectiveness strongly depends on time. H₂O₂ addition can enhance oxidation through the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (i.e. SMX achieved 85.2% of removal with the H₂O₂ addition after 1 hour, compared to only 26% with only UV), while treatment performance is also influenced by contaminant characteristics and the reaction environment. Differences in removal trends between DCF and SMX further demonstrate the importance of optimizing treatment conditions for individual contaminants. Conclusions/Discussion: This research provides an initial evaluation of UV-based AOPs and establishes a foundation for further investigation of advanced treatment technologies in collaboration with the City of Saskatoon. The broader research aims to identify practical and effective approaches for reducing pharmaceutical contaminants in municipal wastewater, contributing to sustainable water management, environmental protection, and healthier communities.

• Name: John Ackon
• Level of Studies:  Undergraduate
• College: Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies
• Field of Study: Biological Science
• Supervisor: Prof. Courage Saba

Brief Abstract: The global demand for critical minerals to drive energy transition has put mining under spotlight for its environmental and social impacts. The activities of extraction and processing may degrade the land, pollute water resources and fragment biodiversity, all of which are often highly focused at and near indigenous and rural communities where the decision power on resource use in their territory is limited. This poster introduces a conceptual approach to looking at the issue of balancing environmental protection and achieving thriving, resilient communities while practicing responsible mining. The framework builds on a synthesis of the literature relating to the environment, indigenous rights (including Free, Prior and Informed Consent), and industry sustainability standards (such as the ICMM Mining Principles and IFC Performance Standards), and identifies three interdependent pillars of responsible mining; environment (impact mitigation, progressive reclamation, and independent monitoring), community and indigenous engagement (co-governance, benefit-sharing agreements, and free, prior and informed consent), and long-term community wellbeing (economic diversification, health outcomes, and cultural continuity). The pillars are not mutually exclusive, but rather reinforcing and the analysis contends that the key to responsible mining practice is to see environment and social goals as one and the same, rather than as a separate compliance activity. This framework is an initial step for communities, industry and policymakers to consider the impact of mining projects through a more comprehensive vision of sustainability, one in which environmental integrity and community prosperity are not viewed as compromises but rather as "critical connections". Key words: Critical minerals, Responsible mining, Environmental impact, Indigenous engagement, Community wellbeing, Sustainable development. Conclusion: This submission reflects the PAW 2026 Congress theme, Critical connections: The path to responsible minerals, sustainable energy and thriving communities, and it demonstrates how the conference will relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Life on Land (SDG15); Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11); Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8); Climate Action (SDG13); Health (SDG3).

• Name: Oladimeji Azeez
• Level of Studies:  Ph. D.
• College: College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Biological Engineering
• Supervisor: Oon-Doo Baik

Brief Abstract: Dielectric properties govern the interaction of agricultural materials with radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields and are essential inputs for RF heating process design, simulation, and optimization. However, dielectric properties measured on bulk grain beds are influenced by inter-particle air voids, rendering them configuration-dependent and non-transferable across packing densities. Furthermore, dielectric property data for faba beans — a rapidly expanding pulse crop in the Canadian Prairies — remain unavailable in the RF range. This study characterized the intrinsic dielectric properties of faba beans and developed predictive models as functions of moisture content, temperature, and frequency for RF processing applications. Bulk dielectric properties were measured using a parallel-plate test fixture coupled with an LCR/impedance analyzer over a frequency range of 5–40.68 MHz, moisture content of 10.34–20.14% (w.b.), and temperature of 20–100°C. Physical properties including bulk density, true density, and porosity were determined at each moisture level. Intrinsic (particle-level) dielectric properties were extracted from bulk measurements using dielectric mixture models (Complex Refractive Index, Landau–Lifshitz–Looyenga, and Lichtenecker), with the CRI model selected for its consistency and reported performance. A power-law empirical model was developed for the dielectric constant (ε′; R² = 0.977, RMSE = 1.92), while two models were developed for the loss factor: a semi-empirical model incorporating Debye relaxation and ionic conductivity terms (ε″; R² = 0.958, RMSE = 2.66) and a polynomial empirical model in log-transformed space (ε″; R² = 0.983, RMSE = 1.48). Both ε′ and ε″ increased with moisture content and decreased with frequency, consistent with Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization and ionic conduction mechanisms. Parity analysis confirmed strong agreement between predicted and observed values, with minor deviations at high-temperature, high-moisture conditions. The developed intrinsic property models provide density-independent, transferable inputs for RF electromagnetic simulations and process optimization across arbitrary bulk configurations.

• Name: Md Faisal Kabir Rozars
• Level of Studies:  Ph. D.
• College: School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Cancer Research, with a specific focus on Lung Cancer
• Supervisor: Dr. Michael Szafron

Brief Abstract: Background: Chronic diseases and cancer are major contributors to poor health among Indigenous peoples in Canada. Although individual chronic conditions have been linked to cancer risk, less is known about how chronic disease burden affects cancer prevalence among Indigenous adults. This study examined whether chronic disease burden is associated with Indigenous adults in Canada having cancer.

Methods: Data from the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey (IPS) were used yielding a sample of 18,502 Indigenous adults aged 15 years and older for this work. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to identifying any associations between the number of chronic diseases and having cancer, while controlling for age, gender, mental health status, and use of tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. The associations are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Higher chronic disease burden was associated with higher odds of having cancer (aOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 2.41-2.95, p < 0.001). Compared with adults aged 55 years and older, all younger age groups had significantly lower odds of having cancer (all p < 0.01). Men had a lower odds for having cancer (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.90). Self-reporting a mental health condition had lower odds of having cancer (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.38-0.61). Smoking in the home (aOR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.66-1.13), alcohol use (aOR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.77-1.12), and cannabis use (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.93-1.37) were not significantly associated with the odds of having cancer.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that multimorbidity may be an important consideration in cancer prevention.

Keywords: Chronic disease burden; multimorbidity; logistic regression; Indigenous health.

• Name: Junzhe Luo
• Level of Studies:  Undergraduate
• College: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Hochschule Luebeck
• Field of Study: Intelligent energy systems
• Supervisor: Christian Toebermann

Brief Abstract: Background: The rapid integration of Photovoltaics (PV), Electric Vehicles (EVs), Heat Pumps (HPs), and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) presents unprecedented challenges to low-voltage grids. Operators face economic pressures to balance costly grid reinforcement with intelligent flexible operations, demanding scalable strategies adaptable across diverse topologies. Currently, naive Time-of-Use (ToU) pricing induces uncoordinated load synchronization, exacerbating spatial bottlenecks and causing secondary voltage collapses—a systemic "Tragedy of the Commons." Methods: This study utilizes a high-resolution digital twin of the German Kerber Village Network and develops an automated stochastic scenario generation framework to propose a decentralized multi-tier coordination strategy (S3). Designed for scalability, this approach enables the evaluation and fine-tuning of optimal parameters across realistic, multi-asset operational conditions. Using an analytical voltage sensitivity matrix derived from Jacobian inversion, S3 assigns asymmetrical voltage deadbands: EVs act as fast responders via V2G, HPs execute comfort-constrained load curtailment, and BESS provides critical support. Results: Dynamic power flow simulations of an extreme winter 2035 scenario reveal that pure price-driven (S2) control exacerbates spatial vulnerability. Conversely, S3 implicitly coordinates heterogeneous resources to effectively flatten system-wide voltage distributions and truncate extreme deviations. It successfully reduces the Voltage Violation Area (VVA) by over 85% compared to S1 (rule-based) and over 81% versus S2, while mathematically minimizing the System Net Cost (SNC). Conclusions: The S3 framework resolves the conflict between individual financial arbitrage and systemic grid physics. It guarantees user comfort while enhancing operational resilience, thereby deferring premature infrastructure reinforcement. Evaluating this strategy's robustness under asymmetric, unbalanced three-phase conditions remains a crucial next step.

• Name: Parnia Nikkhah
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan 
• Field of Study: Technoeconomic and life cycle assement
• Supervisor: Dr.Vankatesh Meda

Brief Abstract: High-pressure processing (HPP) offers a non-thermal approach for preserving fruit-based products, but its integration into industrial powder production requires simultaneous evaluation of economic feasibility and environmental performance. This study assessed HPP-integrated production of a protein-enriched apple smoothie powder in Saskatchewan, Canada, with emphasis on the trade-off between grid electricity and photovoltaic (PV) electricity. The process was modeled in SuperPro Designer at a fresh-apple throughput of 3,000 kg h⁻¹, with HPP applied to the extracted apple stream at 600 MPa for 5 min before concentration, formulation, spray drying, and packaging. Techno-economic performance was evaluated under Saskatchewan grid and hypothetical PV-electricity cost scenarios, while cradle-to-gate environmental impacts were quantified in SimaPro using ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H). The modeled process produced approximately 4.095 million kg of powder annually. Under the base assumptions, the grid scenario required lower total capital investment (CAD 50.05 million vs. CAD 56.99 million), lower unit production cost (CAD 8.97 vs. 9.13 kg⁻¹), and achieved a higher net present value (CAD 71.29 million vs. CAD 64.13 million) than the PV scenario. In contrast, substituting grid electricity with PV electricity reduced global warming by 16.9%, terrestrial acidification by 14.0%, freshwater eutrophication by 70.3%, and water consumption by 3.1%. Monte Carlo analysis showed that the freshwater-eutrophication benefit of PV was the most robust, while no clear preference was observed for water consumption. Overall, the results demonstrate a critical connection between sustainable energy transition, industrial food-processing innovation, and economic viability. Renewable electricity can reduce electricity-sensitive environmental burdens, but economic performance remains strongly dependent on capital, operating, and market assumptions.

• Name: Narangerel Tseden-ish 
• Level of Studies: Visiting Research Student (Graduate)
• College: College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan 
• Field of Study: Rangeland Ecology, Plant Ecology, and Rangeland Restoration
• Supervisor: Dr. H.A. (Bart) Lardner

Brief Abstract: Degradation of Mongolia’s mountain steppe rangelands is increasingly associated with declining vegetation productivity, nutrient limitation, and high interannual climatic variability. Humic-based soil amendments may offer a potential approach for improving rangeland productivity; however, their effectiveness is likely to depend on application rate, seasonal timing, and prevailing environmental conditions.

A four-year field experiment (2021–2024) was conducted in degraded mountain steppe rangeland to evaluate plant and soil responses to humic fertilizer application. The experiment followed a factorial randomized complete block design with four replicates. Liquid humic fertilizer (MON HUMIC, Mongolia) was applied at 20, 40, and 60 g m⁻² (H20, H40, and H60), together with an unfertilized control, at three application timings: June, July, and June+July. Plant height, aboveground biomass, soil humus, available P₂O₅ and K₂O, and plant N, P, and K concentrations were assessed. Additional measurements in 2024 included soil δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, C:N ratio, pH, and two soil depths.

Plant height differed significantly among years (p < 0.001), and the effect of fertilizer depended on application timing, as indicated by a significant Timing × Treatment interaction (p = 0.040). June application of H20 reduced plant height relative to the control (−7.37 cm; Dunnett-adjusted 95% CI: −14.59 to −0.15 cm), whereas July applications produced positive estimated responses, particularly under H40, although these contrasts were not statistically significant. Total aboveground biomass varied significantly among years (p < 0.001), application timings (p = 0.021), and fertilizer treatments (p = 0.002), while the Timing × Treatment interaction was not significant (p = 0.954). Fertilized plots generally showed positive estimated biomass responses, with the largest responses tending to occur at low-to-moderate application rates; however, individual Dunnett-adjusted comparisons with the control were not significant. Soil–plant nutrient relationships differed between Cleistogenes squarrosa and Stipa krylovii and were not consistently positive.

Overall, humic fertilizer responses were strongly context-dependent and varied with year, application timing, fertilizer rate, and plant species. Moderate application rates (H20–H40) generally produced the strongest estimated biomass responses, whereas increasing the rate to H60 did not provide a clear additional benefit. These findings indicate that the effectiveness of humic fertilizer in degraded mountain steppe rangeland depends more on appropriate rate–timing combinations than on increasing fertilizer input alone. Longer-term evaluation across contrasting climatic conditions is required to determine the persistence and ecological significance of these responses.

Keywords: humic fertilizer; application timing; aboveground biomass; plant height; soil–plant nutrient relationships; rangeland restoration; mountain steppe; Mongolia

• Name: Abukari Kwame
• Level of Studies: Postdoctoral Fellow
• College: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Health Services Research
• Supervisor: Dr. Geoffrey Maina

Brief Abstract: Background. Clinical guidelines, protocols, and checklists are foundational instruments for governing healthcare delivery across global health systems. They standardize practice, reduce variability, ensure safety, and align practice with best evidence. Aim. This study applies institutional ethnography to explore how clinical protocols, guidelines, and action plans shape healthcare work and person-centred care (PCC) practices in maternal and newborn units in Ghana. Methods. We conducted text analysis of 33 national and institution-specific clinical protocols and guidelines through an institutional ethnographic lens. After compiling document names, sources, and functionality, we traced the ruling relations, care work, and standpoints to understand how these protocols and guidelines coordinate frontline care delivery practices. Results. Findings revealed that care is predominantly structured around biomedical thresholds, risk classification, and routinized documentation. Protocols translate patients into diagnostic categories through algorithmic processes that prioritize stabilization, referral, and adherence to standardized procedures. Also, while protocols and guidelines aim to ensure safety and consistency, they simultaneously constrain the relational, contextual, and participatory dimensions of PCC. Although the Ghanaian Patient’s Charter articulates a strong commitment to autonomy, informed choice, and respect, this discourse is less embedded in clinical protocols and guidelines that coordinate everyday clinical encounters. Discussion. The study shows that protocol‑driven care often overshadows relational engagement and shared decision‑making, thereby compromising the doctrine of patient autonomy. Care documentation functions as a disciplinary mechanism, constructing the “good health worker” as protocol‑compliant, risk‑aware, and accountable for institutional care outcomes, including maternal mortality prevention. Yet, the textual regimes position patients variously as clinical objects, recipients of instruction, rights‑holders, and institutional watchdogs, reflecting fragmented and sometimes contradictory expectations. Conclusion. Strengthening PCC in maternal units in Ghanaian hospitals requires reconfiguring the textual and institutional structures that organize care. Embedding relational prompts into protocols, supporting discretionary judgment, and aligning performance indicators with PCC principles are essential for advancing more holistic PCC.

• Name: Jasper Damaris Raja
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Child poverty in armed conflict regions of South Sudan
• Supervisor: Dr. Solina Richter

Brief Abstract: Africa ranks second among the armed conflict regions in the world with the epicentre of child poverty in Eastern and Southern Africa. Southern Sudan, due to its colonial history, oil, religious and ethnic disputes, is continuously affected by the multifaceted child poverty before and after its independence in 2013. Child poverty includes monetary and global dimensions (i.e., health, education, and access to living standards) as well as context-specific intangible dimensions. The paucity of literature and personal experiences with South Sudanese refugees in Uganda emphasize the urgency to explore the cultural dimensions of child poverty to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG) using a multistage research design. The first stage (2026) includes scoping the dimensions of child poverty in armed conflict regions of Africa. The second stage (2027) will include exploring the culture of child poverty among the people of South Sudan in Palabak Refugee camp. Newly arrived parents/caregivers and professional stakeholders (schoolteachers, healthcare workers, community and religious leaders) will be recruited. I will use culturally grounded, decolonizing qualitative methods to explore how South Sudanese communities understand and experience child poverty. Critical social theory and the capability approach will guide the study’s conceptual framework. Critical ethnography will aid in exploring the deeper level of the culture of child poverty through socio-political lens to unravel the hegemony needs for social change. The data collected will be analysed using content and thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. The findings will be disseminated to the community through formal and informal channels to promote social change and contribute to ending child poverty in all forms, as per SDG 1. The study will contribute to culture relevant global child health nursing knowledge in conflict-affected regions, aiming to care for children affected by child poverty and address SDG 1.  

• Name: Sherzodbek Khamdamov
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Chemical Engineering – Hydrometallurgy and Critical Minerals Processing
• Supervisor: Dr. Alam Shafiq

Brief Abstract: Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential to many modern technologies, including permanent magnets, electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and advanced energy systems. However, their supply is constrained by geographically concentrated primary resources, complex extraction processes, and significant environmental impacts associated with conventional mining and processing. These challenges have created growing interest in recovering REEs from secondary resources as part of a more circular and resilient critical-minerals supply chain. This research investigates the recovery of rare earth elements from secondary sources using hydrometallurgical processing. Potential feedstocks include end-of-life permanent magnets, electronic waste, fluorescent phosphors, spent catalysts, and industrial residues. The proposed process consists of feed pretreatment, selective leaching, impurity removal, solution purification, and recovery of high-purity rare earth products. Key operating parameters, including lixiviant type and concentration, temperature, reaction time, solid-to-liquid ratio, particle size, and the use of oxidizing or reducing agents, are evaluated for their influence on REE dissolution, selectivity, and overall recovery. Downstream separation techniques such as selective precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and crystallization are considered for separating REEs from major impurities and producing purified rare earth products. Process performance is assessed in terms of REE recovery, selectivity, reagent consumption, impurity removal, waste generation, and opportunities for water and reagent recycling. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing environmental impacts while improving the recovery of valuable critical materials. Overall, this research aims to develop efficient and sustainable strategies for recovering rare earth elements from secondary resources, thereby reducing dependence on primary mining, promoting circular resource use, and strengthening the supply of materials required for clean-energy and advanced-technology applications.

• Name: Susana Thais Pedroza Rodrigues da Cunha
• Level of Studies: Ph. D. 
• College: College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Dentistry
• Supervisor: Dr. Daniela Pita de Melo

Brief Abstract: Background: Geographic accessibility can shape whether health needs translate into access to care, particularly in remote Indigenous territories. This study examined whether geographic remoteness was associated with a territorial gap between recorded need for prosthetic dental treatment and recorded referral for prosthetic care across Indigenous territories in Brazil. Methods: We conducted a territory-level ecological cross-sectional study integrating 2024 oral health data from the Brazilian Indigenous Health Information System (SIASI) with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) 2018 geographic accessibility classification. The primary analysis included Indigenous territories with ≥100 assessed individuals and recorded prosthetic treatment need. Remoteness was measured as the proportion of municipalities associated with each territory classified as remote or very remote. The outcome was absence of any recorded prosthetic referral. Logistic regression adjusted for the absolute burden of prosthetic treatment need. Sensitivity analyses used a ≥50-assessed threshold and a multilevel model accounting for clustering within Special Indigenous Health Districts (DSEIs). Results: Among 317 Indigenous territories, absence of recorded prosthetic referral increased from 45.0% in territories with no remote municipalities to 58.6% in mixed-accessibility territories and 67.2% where all associated municipalities were remote or very remote. Greater remoteness was associated with higher odds of no recorded referral after adjustment for need burden (OR=2.66; 95% CI: 1.64–4.36; p<0.001). Results remained similar using the ≥50 threshold (OR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.51–3.66; p<0.001), while the association was attenuated after accounting for DSEI clustering (OR=1.89; 95% CI: 0.92–3.92; p=0.085). Conclusions/Discussion: Geographic remoteness was associated with a larger territorial gap between recorded prosthetic need and referral, while attenuation after DSEI clustering suggests that accessibility and health-service organization may jointly shape these disparities. Connecting oral health need, geographic access, and service response highlights an actionable dimension of health equity for thriving Indigenous communities and advances SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Name: Amina Arif
• Level of Studies: Undergraduate
• College: Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Biomedical
• Supervisor: Dr. Ethan Done

Brief Abstract: Modern agriculture is a highly intensive process that disrupts the natural soil microbiome through the use of toxic chemicals and processes such as artificial fertilizers, fungicides, and tilling. This reduces the ability of the soil and plants to support robust biomass production, leading to reduced yields. Bioinoculants are heterogeneous mixtures of organisms derived from natural sources such as compost that can be added to soil to restore the natural soil microbiome. H-Start is one such bioinoculant (HumaTerra Regen Ag Inc.). Previous research has suggested that the addition of H-Start can lead to up to a 25% increase in yields. As such, we aimed to elucidate the physiological impacts of H-Start by monitoring various aspects of growth for pea (Pisum sativum) using traditional measuring techniques. We found that H-Start increases the height of plants (p < 0.05), increases leaf area between days 56 and 63 after planting, increases yield during heat stress and low fertilizer conditions, and increases soil pH variability. Together, these results suggest that H-Start exerts a biological influence on both the soil microbiome and the plants that depend on it. Additionally, all the ingredients for H-Start and other bioinoculants can be sourced locally and require minimal processing. Thus, bioinoculants represent an input class that may become increasingly relevant in low-income areas, which often lack the economic ability to sustain food imports and simultaneously are the first to be affected by disruptions to the conventional agri-chemical supply chain.

• Name: Rutuja Kambale
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: Environment and Sustainability, CSIR- Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology
• Field of Study: Environmental Chemistry
• Supervisor: Dr. M. G. Sujana

Brief Abstract: Background: The transition toward electrification and renewable energy is increasing the demand for lithium-ion batteries and, consequently, the generation of battery-recycling wastes such as black mass. While black mass is primarily valued for its recoverable metals, its graphitic carbon fraction remains comparatively underutilised. Converting this carbon fraction into value-added materials could support more circular battery-recycling pathways while addressing environmental challenges associated with water contamination. Methods: This study investigates the valorisation of black mass-derived graphitic carbon (BGC) as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI), As(V), and Hg(II) from water. BGC was subjected to acid leaching followed by thermal activation to produce activated battery black mass-derived graphitic carbon (ABGC). The material was characterised using TG-DTA, XRD, pHPZC, FESEM-EDS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted in single- and mixed-contaminant systems over an initial pH range of 2.5-8.5. Results: TG-DTA indicated high thermal stability, with 90.22% residual mass at 1000 °C under the experimental conditions, while XRD confirmed an ordered graphitic carbon phase. ABGC exhibited a pHPZC of 4.4, indicating pronounced pH-dependent surface-charge behaviour. Cr(VI) and As(V) removal decreased with increasing pH, whereas Hg(II) removal increased, reflecting pH-dependent surface charge and contaminant speciation. Similar trends were observed in mixed-contaminant systems. FTIR and Raman spectral changes after adsorption suggested interactions between the contaminants and surface functional groups, supporting a contribution from surface complexation in addition to electrostatic interactions. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the potential of battery-derived graphitic carbon as a multifunctional, value-added material for water remediation. More broadly, the study presents a circular-economy approach that links battery-waste valorisation, resource recovery, environmental protection, and water-quality management, supporting more sustainable pathways.

• Name: Ode Chloe Ferrao None Nyangui
• Level of Studies: Undergraduate
• College: College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Environmental Geosciences
• Supervisor: Man-Yin Tsang

Brief Abstract: Fluid–rock reactions driven by hydrothermal circulation can leach metals from host rocks and subsequently redistribute and concentrate them during ore-forming processes. These processes have been widely studied in seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) systems, some of which contain high concentrations of economically valuable metals, including Cu, Zn, Ag, and Au. In 2015, exceptionally high Au concentrations of up to 275 ppm were reported from the Higashi Aogashima Knoll Caldera (HAKC), offshore Japan, where hydrothermal fluids discharge at relatively low temperatures (150 °C – 275°C). However, the mechanisms responsible for Au enrichment at the HAKC remain unclear. The geochemical compositions of rock samples from these hydrothermal fields were analyzed using ioGAS to investigate metal enrichment in altered volcanic rocks. The study area represents a bimodal volcanic setting with two main protoliths (rhyolitic and basaltic rocks), and thus the role of host-rock composition on elemental gains and losses associated with hydrothermal alteration were evaluated. Both rock types showed consistent gains in Au, Zn, Pb, Ba, Se, and U, indicating the deposition of native gold, sphalerite, galena, and barite, as well as losses in Ca and Na, indicating the breakdown of primary plagioclase. However, despite the similarities in the gains of some elements in both rock types, results have shown some discrepancies and anomalies found between both protoliths.

• Name: Barbara Araujo
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: Law, University of Saskatoon / Federal University of Uberlândia 
• Field of Study: Human Rights 
• Supervisor: Jamesy Patrick

Brief Abstract: The Anthropocene represents more than a geological designation; it reveals a profound ecological and normative crisis rooted in the anthropocentric model of human domination over nature. This crisis challenges conventional legal frameworks that conceive nature primarily as an object of protection and calls for new approaches to environmental governance and sustainable development. In this context, the Ecocene emerges as an ethical and political project grounded in ecocentrism and the recognition of nature’s intrinsic value. This study critically examines the legal feasibility of recognizing nature as a subject of rights and explores how this shift may contribute to more sustainable and responsible relationships between human communities and the natural world. Based on a qualitative methodology supported by bibliographic and documentary research, the study analyzes theoretical approaches to the Anthropocene and Ecocene and examines legal developments in Latin America, with particular attention to the constitutional and judicial experiences of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. The analysis identifies a gradual transition from anthropocentric models of environmental protection toward legal frameworks that recognize nature as a rights-bearing entity, challenging the traditional human-centred foundations of environmental law. These experiences demonstrate different pathways through which ecological values have been incorporated into legal and institutional frameworks, offering relevant insights for environmental governance and the protection of ecological integrity. The study argues that recognizing nature as a subject of rights can contribute to a broader transformation of environmental law, strengthening the foundations for sustainable development and fostering legal frameworks capable of supporting the long-term well-being of both human communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

• Name: Baptiste Rouquette
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: Sciences and engineering, Sorbonne University
• Field of Study: Robotics
• Supervisor: Viviane Pasqui

Brief Abstract: Foil technology has existed for several years and makes it possible to drastically reduce drag during marine travel. However, it is still only minimally automated, and the Evolo project, led by the Swedish Maritime Robotics Centre (SMaRC) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, was launched to work on this aspect. The robot was controlled by remote control, and we developed a mission protocol ranging from a user interface for programming a mission to its autonomous launch and execution until completion. I developed the path-planning algorithm, which consists of connecting the points through which we want the robot to pass in order to carry out its mission. I implemented a Dubins algorithm because it is perfectly suited to a non-holonomic robot. The foil imposes constraints on both speed and the minimum turning angle. For example, it is unable to turn on itself when its translational velocity is zero. To follow the previously calculated path, I also had to implement a Pure Pursuit controller, which is a classical trajectory-tracking controller. We also incorporated the consideration of zones that we either wanted to avoid or, on the contrary, remain within. The results were very promising, with trajectory tracking within <1 m achieved in around 95–100% of cases in simulation using Unity. This error was notably due to anticipating turns and optimizing the Pure Pursuit lookahead in relation to the minimum turning radius of the Dubins algorithm. In real-world conditions, the success rate was around 75–80%, mainly due to external forces (wind, currents, waves), or in some cases due to dynamic obstacle avoidance, which was implemented to avoid an approaching boat. To improve this algorithm, we could modify the Dubins parameters to find a better compromise, add a controller to compensate for external disturbances, or simply switch to a different path-planning algorithm.  

• Name: Rahul Kumar Yadav
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan 
• Field of Study: Biological Engineering 
• Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Bishnu Acharya

Brief Abstract: Background: Carbon Black is one of the top 50 chemicals produced all over the world, with more than 90% of its production volume going to tires. The current method of producing carbon black from fossil fuels presents significant environmental concerns. On the other hand, Canada is one of the largest producers of Canola seeds. Once the seeds are processed in the refinery, we get a soapstock that is discarded as waste. The aim of this research is to investigate the production of bio-based carbon black from the low-value waste. Methods: Soapstock was subjected to pyrolysis in a horizontal reactor under controlled operating conditions. Experiments were conducted over a temperature range of 300 to 600 °C and different residence times to evaluate their effects on product distribution and bio-oil production. The analysis showed 600 °C and 30 minutes of residence time in the reactor as the optimum condition for maximum oil yield. The resulting pyrolysis oil at the optimum yield will be subsequently investigated as a feedstock for high-temperature combustion in a reactor to produce carbon black. Results: Preliminary experiments demonstrated successful conversion of soapstock into solid and liquid products through pyrolysis. Among the investigated temperatures, 600 °C produced the highest pyrolysis oil yield under the tested conditions, indicating its potential as an intermediate feedstock for subsequent carbon production. Conclusion: This research highlights low-value resource utilization and sustainable materials production through the conversion of industrial waste into value-added products. 

• Name: Maya Ravan
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: Education, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Curriculum/ AI Education
• Supervisor: Dr. Paula MacDowell

Brief Abstract: Background: AI increasingly shapes how young people learn, create, communicate, and make decisions, making responsible and creative engagement with AI an educational priority. Yet AI education remains uneven, with limited classroom-based evidence showing how students develop ethical judgment, human agency, and creative participation through learning experiences. Existing studies have examined project-based AI learning and ethics-oriented role-play, but their deliberate integration within secondary education remains underexplored. This study addressed that gap through a curriculum connecting technical understanding, ethical reasoning, stakeholder perspectives, and student-directed AI use. Methods: Using an Educational Design Research and mixed-methods design, an eight-week AI curriculum aligned with UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Students was developed and refined. Participants included 58 students in Grades 7–12. Data included focus-group interviews, classroom observations, rubric-based assessments of role-play and AI-design projects, and supplementary pre–post surveys. Results: Participants demonstrated clear growth in responsible and creative AI engagement, with 81.8%–90.9% of groups reaching Proficient or Advanced levels. The strongest evidence concerned ethical awareness, including bias, privacy, consent, fairness, and potential harm. Human agency remained context dependent, while socially responsible AI use was most evident in scaffolded role-play. Creative AI use was demonstrated through content creation, system design, testing, adaptation, and refinement, alongside a shift toward greater student direction in human–AI co-creation. Role-play was highly engaging, with 84.8% of participants identifying it as the most engaging activity. Conclusion: Findings suggest that responsible and creative AI learning is situated, iterative, and scaffold-dependent. Integrating project-based learning with stakeholder-based role-play can make ethical tensions concrete, strengthen perspective-taking, and help students retain human judgment and responsibility while engaging critically and creatively with AI. This work supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inclusive participation in increasingly AI-mediated communities.  

• Name: Yash Srivastava
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technolog, Roorkee
• Field of Study: Lithium-ion battery recycling
• Supervisor: Prof Prasenjit Mondal

Brief Abstract: The increasing generation of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has created significant environmental concerns while highlighting the need for sustainable recovery of valuable metals, particularly lithium. This study proposes spent coffee grounds (SCG) as a novel biomass reducing agent for selective lithium recovery from spent cathode powder (SCP) through carbothermal reduction. During the process, SCG undergoes thermal decomposition under an inert atmosphere, generating reducing gases such as CO, H₂, and CH₄ along with biochar. These products facilitate the reduction of transition-metal oxides, while promoting the conversion of lithium into water-soluble Li₂CO₃. The resulting reduction residue is subjected to water leaching, followed by evaporative crystallization for lithium recovery. The effects of temperature, SCG-to-SCP mass ratio (BCMR), residence time, and heating rate on lithium leaching efficiency were investigated using a combined response surface methodology (RSM) and machine learning (ML) approach. The RSM model predicted an optimum leaching efficiency of 81.3% at 587 °C, a BCMR of 0.97, a residence time of 19.4 min, and a heating rate of 5.8 °C min⁻¹. The decision tree regression model predicted a comparable optimum leaching efficiency of 80.16%. The SCG, SCP, reduction residue, and leaching residue were characterized using TGA, SEM-EDX, XRD, and XPS to elucidate the physicochemical transformations during processing. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of waste SCG as an effective and sustainable reducing agent for selective lithium recovery from spent LIBs, while simultaneously valorizing an abundant biomass waste stream.

• Name: Lorena Giselle Rodríguez Beas
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Chemical Engineering - Sustainable Water Treatment
• Supervisor: Dr. Jafar Soltan

Brief Abstract: Background Pharmaceutical compounds are increasingly detected in wastewater and aquatic environments because conventional wastewater treatment plants are not specifically designed to remove these compounds. Diclofenac (DCF), a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, and Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), an often-prescribed antibiotic, have been identified as persistent contaminants in water bodies, raising concerns regarding ecosystem health and antibiotic resistance. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), including ozonation and UV-enhanced ozonation, have emerged as promising technologies for improving pharmaceutical removal from water. Methods The degradation of two representative pollutants, DCF and SMX, was evaluated using ozone (O3), ultraviolet irradiation (UV), and combined (UV+O3) treatment processes. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale reactor under different ozone concentrations and reaction times. Pollutant concentrations were quantified using HPLC, and treatment performance was assessed through degradation efficiency and kinetic analysis. Results Both pharmaceuticals were effectively degraded by ozone-based treatments. Increasing ozone concentration improved contaminant removal, while the combined UV+O3 process consistently achieved higher degradation efficiencies than UV treatment alone. Most degradation occurred during the first minutes of treatment, with UV+O3 reaching greater than 90% removal within the first 15 minutes under the tested operating conditions. UV alone, on the other hand, showed substantially lower degradation efficiencies, reaching no more than 40% removal within an hour. Conclusions The results demonstrate the potential of UV+O3 advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of pharmaceutical contaminants in water. The potential integration of these technologies into municipal wastewater treatment systems could improve the removal of emerging pollutants, contribute to safer water resources, support sustainable wastewater management, and reduce environmental risks associated with pharmaceutical discharge, ultimately contributing to healthier communities.  

• Name: Mingyan He
• Level of Studies: Undergraduate
• College: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum(east China)
• Field of Study: Industrial catalysis 
• Supervisor: Dr. Zhengxing Qin

Brief Abstract: Cleaner and more resource-efficient industrial processes are essential for responsible resource use, sustainable energy, and lower-impact chemical production. Titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) is an environmentally friendly oxidation catalyst, but its long microporous diffusion pathways can limit mass transfer and catalyst utilization. In this study, a rapid acidic co-hydrolysis route was developed to prepare nano-TS-1 as a stable platform for future short b-axis engineering. Samples crystallized at 170 °C for 24–72 h were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis, Raman, FT-IR, and SEM. Phase-pure MFI crystals were obtained within 24 h, with stable framework Ti, no detectable anatase TiO₂, and uniform nanocrystals of approximately 400 nm. Prolonged crystallization produced only minor changes in Ti state and morphology. These results show that a well-defined nano-TS-1 platform can be established rapidly without unnecessary extended treatment. By supporting future diffusion-pathway shortening and improved catalyst utilization, this work contributes to cleaner catalytic processing, reduced energy and material consumption, and more sustainable industrial chemistry.

• Name: Yuguo Fu
• Level of Studies: Ph. D.
• College: College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore
• Field of Study: Thermal Management, Data Center Cooling, and Topology Optimization
• Supervisor: Poh Seng Lee

Brief Abstract: The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-performance computing is driving data centers toward increasingly high power densities and severe thermal loads. As processor heat flux continues to rise, maintaining low and spatially uniform chip temperatures has become a major challenge for reliable and energy-efficient data-center operation. In conventional liquid-cooled cold plates, the coolant continuously absorbs heat as it travels through the cooling domain. Its temperature therefore increases along the flow direction, progressively reducing its local cooling capacity and producing a non-uniform temperature distribution across the chip. This streamwise deterioration in cooling effectiveness becomes increasingly limiting as thermal loads continue to increase. This work develops a multi-jet liquid-cooling architecture that redistributes coolant from a single external inlet into multiple nearly uniform jet streams through an integrated flow distribution layer. The distributed jets provide fresh coolant to different regions of the cooling domain and substantially shorten the effective coolant transport distance associated with each local cooling region. A topology-optimized lower cooling layer is then designed to maximize heat-removal performance and minimize device temperature. The optimized flow distribution layer delivers balanced flow rates to multiple jet locations while maintaining a single external coolant connection. By repeatedly supplying relatively low-temperature coolant across the chip, the multi-jet configuration reduces the progressive loss of cooling capacity associated with long streamwise flow paths. This results in a more uniform coolant temperature field, more consistent local cooling performance, and improved control of the maximum chip temperature. The proposed multi-jet flow distribution architecture provides a promising thermal-management strategy for future high-density data centers. By shortening effective coolant paths and reducing streamwise coolant temperature rise, the design improves temperature uniformity and peak-temperature control, enabling more effective use of available cooling capacity and supporting more efficient and sustainable digital infrastructure.

• Name: Maharani Dean Pramudita
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: School of Environment and Sustainability, Universitas Sebelas Maret (Home Institution)/University of Saskatchewan (Secondary Institution)
• Field of Study: Poverty & gender-based economic inclusion
• Supervisor: Dr. James Robson and Dr. Susanna Barnes

Brief Abstract: 

Background: Poverty persists partly because interventions overlook structural and cultural barriers (Brady, 2019; Sen, 2007; Bradshaw, 2007). These barriers compound at the intersection of gender and disability, creating forms of exclusion that formal policy alone may not address. Indonesia’s disability employment quota (Law No. 8/2016) reflects the limits of legal provisions when local implementation remains uneven. Community-based organizations (CBOs), situated closer to everyday realities, may help bridge this gap. In Boyolali and Klaten, Central Java, FKDB Kresnopatra and PPDK represent two such organizations, yet how they respond to intersecting barriers remains understudied.

Methods: This qualitative single-case embedded study (Yin, 2014) examines the disability community in Boyolali and Klaten through two purposively selected sub-units: FKDB Kresnopatra, a vocational training organization, and PPDK, a social enterprise. Data were collected through interviews with 17 informants, including eight women with disabilities, alongside observation and document analysis. Data were triangulated and analyzed in QDA Miner through pattern matching against Resource Mobilization Theory and social capital concepts, followed by inductive thematic coding of stigma accounts.
Results: Structural barriers were prominent, but accounts also revealed a deeper internalized stigma: ableist beliefs about dependence and incapability intersected with patriarchal expectations of women’s domestic and caregiving roles, producing a shared sense of unworthiness to claim work or voice. The organizations followed different pathways. FKDB emphasized skills training and pathways into formal employment, while PPDK emphasized advocacy and community-based livelihoods. Yet neither pathway automatically dismantled stigma or guaranteed sustainable economic independence.

Conclusions: Formal access is not enough. Economic empowerment requires accessible opportunities alongside sustained efforts to challenge gender norms, ableism, and institutional barriers, enabling women with disabilities to participate on more equitable terms. The findings contribute to SDGs 5, 8, and 10 and PAW 2026’s “Thriving Communities” vision.

• Name: Roya Khoshnoodi
• Level of Studies: Master
• College: College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
• Field of Study: Pediatric Virtual Care and Indigenous Health
• Supervisor: Dr. Stacey Lovo

Brief Abstract: Background: Supporting the health and well-being of First Nation children requires healthcare services that reflect community priorities, values, and lived experiences. Ensuring First Nation voices lead development of community programming is critical. In partnership with Whitecap Dakota Nation, this study explored families' pediatric healthcare priorities, experiences, and service gaps to guide the co-development of culturally responsive virtual care services. Methods: A community-based needs assessment was conducted through a partnership between Whitecap Dakota Nation and researchers from the Virtual Health Hub. Guided by Whitecap Dakota ways of knowing, being, and doing, the sharing circle tradition was utilised to explore experiences of child and family well-being, healthcare access, and needs. Parents and caregivers (n=8) of children aged 1 to 17 years participated in the sharing circles, while children were present through family-centered participation. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supported by NVivo software. Results: Analysis generated one overarching theme, “Carrying the Weight,” reflecting the cumulative burden experienced by families as they navigated pediatric healthcare services. Three major themes and ten subthemes described experiences related to barriers to accessing care, encounters with healthcare providers, and the need for responsive, family-centred services. Families emphasized the importance of culturally safe, relationship-based, and family-centred approaches to care delivery. Conclusion: Whitecap Dakota families experience significant challenges in accessing pediatric specialists and were pleased with their trusted local primary care team. Findings highlight the need for integrating specialist care and health education into their family-centred, culturally responsive primary care team.  

PAW 2026 will take place October 20-22, 2026 on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) main campus located in Saskatoon, SK. An evening reception will take place at a location within the city. Please see Congress Program for more details once avaliable.

All conference registration details will be outlined under the 'Registration' tab.

Registration will open Spring 2026.

Once open, reigstration may be completed by following the link under the 'Registration' tab.

Additional tickets for the evening reception may be available depending on final numbers. If you are interested in additional tickets please email international.office@usask.ca.

A virtual option will not be available for PAW 2026.